⭐⭐⭐(Good)

Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, Christopher Walken
Certificate: PG
Run Time: 106 mins

Jon Favreau’s interpretation of ‘The Jungle Book’ is one of two cinematic offerings of Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 work and a live-action remake of the 1967 Disney musical. The other is another live-action film that will feature Andy Serkis in his directorial debut. Favreau’s version uses photorealist rendering to create the settings in combination with motion capture and CGI, which the trailers seem to suggest that this film is a visual treat. Neel Sethi, a newcomer to the industry who plays Mowgli is the only live-action actor here and he is supported by a supporting voice cast, filled with great actors. The film has received near unanimous praise from critics and audiences alike and according to statistics, looks to be one of the best films of the year.

‘The Jungle Book’ is an efficient and an often enthralling film that has a lot of heart but it does come across as rather straightforward and workmanlike in places. It is a visual treat and a benchmark for what CGI allows filmmakers to create. The film also has some stunning casting, in particular with Idris Elba, Bill Murray and Ben Kingsley as one would expect. I know the film has received extremely high praise from critics and audiences alike and I wholeheartedly agree that it is much better than the trailers but I do feel it is a little overrated.

Visually, ‘The Jungle Book’ is a masterpiece and it’s astonishing to imagine how the entire film was virtually filmed in a studio in Los Angeles with Neel Sethi mainly on-stage himself being filmed with the rest of the cast recording their voices later on down the line. There are many outstanding action sequences, particularly when Mowgli flees the jungle that is stunning to behold. The visual effects alone are worth the price of admission. Andy Serkis’ upcoming interpretation is due for release in 2018 and with Serkis as a visual expert, it will be interesting to see how his film visually differs to Favreau’s.

The voice cast are also wonderful, with Elba, Murray and Kingsley being the standouts. Idris Elba voices one of the most memorable villains of recent year, Shere Khan who is extremely menacing and conniving. Bill Murray as Baloo and Ben Kingsley as Bagheera are also as expected, wonderful here and the chemistry between them and Sethi is beautiful to behold. It’s perfect casting and one that will be very hard to top. In Serkis’ version, Christian Bale will be voicing Bagheera and Andy Serkis will voice Baloo. Neel Sethi who plays Mowgli can’t quite pull off all the emotional hooks needed here, but it’s a mostly competent performance. Christopher Walken is competent here too but can’t manage the musical numbers and Scarlett Johansson is sadly wasted in a small role.

One of Favreau’s main challenges is how to satisfy audiences who loved the musical numbers of the Disney animated version. The film is devoid of any songs until Baloo enters the frame and it’s very impressive how he manages to break into song so naturally after his character develops. However, as mentioned Walken can’t sing and it’s oddly jarring in what is generally a fairly serious film and brings the film down.

In terms of the film’s run time, Favreau could very easily have gone on to make a 150 minute epic with a slow pace which he hasn’t done. Instead it runs at a very economical 106 minutes but I think it is a little short as this has meant a lack of character development at some points and I was consciously aware that Favreau seems to be working for a checklist, albeit a very good one. I think if another 15 minutes were added to flesh out the opening and help the audience to sympathise with Shere Khan a little more and perhaps also if Favreau had extended the period between Mowgli being driven out of the jungle and finding Baloo as Johansson’s slippery Kaa is completely wasted.

Overall, I was very impressed with ‘The Jungle Book’ visually and in terms of its performances. It’s got a lot of heart, as Favreau has proved time and time again he is capable of doing and there are some breathtaking action sequences. However, it is not without its problems and I think the pacing is a little too efficient and the film isn’t as strong in its second half as it is in its first. It is overrated but I did really enjoy the film albeit with some reservations. It’ll be interesting to see how Andy Serkis tackles this story in his 2018 imagining and to those who thinks he has no chance in topping this, it’ll be a tough job but one that given the right approach could very well better this. This is still great fun and gets many of the key components spot-on and Favreau’s profile will hopefully be further elevated in the film industry. However, I hope he doesn’t just get given big-budget films as 2014’s ‘Chef’ is his best work yet and is undoubtedly more fun and has a warmer heart than this. Go check it out.

 (Good)

⭐⭐⭐(Good)

Director: Zack Snyder
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Gal Gadot, Scoot McNairy, Callan Mulvey, Tao Okamoto
Certificate: 12A
Run Time: 151 mins

(POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD)

What has seemed like an excruciatingly long wait, Zack Snyder’s vision of this epic superhero clash has finally hit the big screen and ever since production started, it has proven to be mightily divisive. ‘Man of Steel’ which was also directed by Snyder proved to be a very controversial film and the casting of Ben Affleck as the Caped Crusader angered comic book fans so much so that there were petitions for him to be fired and the casting of Jesse Eisenberg as nemesis Lex Luthor and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman also proved to be highly controversial. This film is so important in establishing a cinematic universe for DC comics and if it fails, then they’re going to be in big trouble especially as DC have mapped out a whole plethora of films that are due for release up until 2020. Zack Snyder is also a very unreliable choice for a director as critics really seem to dislike him and all of the films that he has ever made except for his debut, ‘Dawn of the Dead’ have had very mixed reviews from critics. ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ has again, proven to be a very divisive film and many critics have totally dismissed it. Financially, the film opened up very well in its first week scoring the 7th biggest opening of all time but once the bad word of mouth reached around, the film experienced a ‘historic’ box office drop in its second week of 68%. Ouch! To add further fuel to the fire, the first instalment of ‘Justice League’ (DC’s equivalent to Marvel’s ‘Avengers’) is set for release in November 2017  with Zack Snyder once again in the director’s chair. It could be a very interesting few years for the DCEU (DC Extended Universe).

‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ is wildly uneven and its overstuffed story is very incoherent at times but it is a marked improvement over its predecessor, ‘Man of Steel’ and is very entertaining and features some outstanding sequences and some interesting ideas. Despite the fact that I found a lot to like about it, it’s fairly obvious to see why it has proven to be very divisive. Snyder’s treatment of these superheroes is very controversial at times (here Batman kills people unlike in the comics for example) and there are some gaping plot holes and some questionable decisions in the plot. I think it does set a decent groundwork for future DC films but if Snyder is sticking as director for ‘Justice League’, he needs to have a co-director or a better crew to support him and be able to ensure that there is a better and more coherent plot line.

The cast here are one of the film’s main strength – Ben Affleck is fantastic as both Bruce Wayne and Batman and really makes for a dark, brooding and troubled interpretation of this iconic character. There was famously a lot of backlash when his casting was announced, but I’ve always been a fan of the decision. If Affleck goes on to direct and star in his own solo Batman film as some would suggest, it could very well prove worthy to Nolan’s trilogy. Henry Cavill is unfortunately sidelined as the ‘Man of Steel’ and Snyder seems to much prefer the Batman arc of the film. However, Cavill does seem to have settled in as the character which can only be a good thing.  Jeremy Irons makes for a really worthy Alfred after Michael Caine played him in the Nolan trilogy and although not given much to do, there is plenty of potential for his character in future films. Unfortunately, Jesse Eisenberg as the villain, Lex Luthor, made for very controversial casting and his villain is a bit of a misfire. He is very hammy and practically gives his Mark Zuckerberg performance from ‘The Social Network’ here again only he can get very, very annoying. A real shame here as I was hoping for the best. Unfortunately, Snyder botches all the female characters into ‘damsel-in-distress’ mode which includes both Amy Adams and Diane Lane however Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman is very well-realised and when she steps into the action at the end is a wonderful moment. Also, Holly Hunter plays a Senator called June Finch and she is very nuanced and tough here – a very good addition to the cast despite being in a relatively small role.

Snyder’s skill in crafting action sequences continues to show here and although the last third of ‘Man of Steel’ resorted to boring hitting and punching for 40 minutes, here they are much better and serve a purpose in the story apart from the final climax with descends into generic comic book territory. His aesthetic as a director is one of his strong points and there are a couple of shots and moments here when paired with Larry Fong’s cinematography which are simply outstanding. The film has a very very dark and bleak  tone and Fong is able to bring Snyder’s aesthetic vision to life in stunning fashion.

Unfortunately, where ‘Batman v Superman’ fails is in its incoherent story. This is especially baffling as Christopher Nolan has had some creative impact and of course, Snyder manages to spark controversy with some of the narrative elements. However, the film is not completely devoid of a story and there are some interesting ideas posed. The film is overstuffed despite having a 150 minute run time – Snyder has to juggle a Batman story, which he clearly seems to prefer, a Superman character arc that he neglects and set the film up for Justice League. When the film is released on DVD, Snyder will be releasing a 3 hour cut that is R / 15-rated. This sounds promising and hopefully the extra half an hour can help to flesh out the incoherent story. Who knows? – it could even transform the film in its current 150 minute format. That said, the opening scenes are wonderful and are testament to what Snyder is capable of doing when he has good ideas.

Ever since it was announced that Hans Zimmer would be returning to score this film, it was clear we would be in for a treat but here he also teams up with Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL) to find inspiration for the ‘Batman’ theme as Zimmer had previously composed all of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films. The score is largely recycled from ‘Man of Steel’ but there are some excellent new themes that they have composed which in my book, ticks the boxes. Both Wonder Woman and Lex Luthor have particularly memorable themes and the score in the opening credits is simply stunning. Unfortunately, shortly after the release of this film, Hans Zimmer revealed that he would be ‘retiring’ from the superhero genre as he has lost inspiration which is a real shame but I’m sure Holkenborg could continue and a Steven Price score for this Summer’s ‘Suicide Squad’ sounds fantastic so it’s not all bad news.

It’s a real shame that the marketing for this film has been so poor with virtually most of the film shown in the trailers. They really didn’t need to reveal Doomsday so early on in the marketing campaign and it would have been nice if they’d have left out Wonder Woman’s involvement in the final fight and the fact that Batman and Superman team up. With any film, when you market a film and reveal so much about it for more than a year and a half in advance, of course the fans are going to have unrealistic expectations which Snyder was never going to be able to fulfil. This film really didn’t need it. Sadly, this won’t change future marketing for MCU / DCEU films as they’ve already revealed their line-up until 2020.

Overall, ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ is a solid foundation for the DCEU and successfully incorporates Batman and Wonder Woman into this cinematic universe. However, its incoherent, overstuffed narrative is by far and away its biggest downfall and is the main reason for its negative reviews. Although far from subtle, the film manages to introduce the prospect of the Justice League and it will be interesting to see how Snyder is able to handle this huge film. However, I’m not convinced that audiences will get anything much different from this. Snyder needs a better crew or even a co-director or I fear it will get a similar result.  However, it will be interesting to see how the 180 minute R/15-rated cut fares compared to this. The next part of the DCEU, ‘Suicide Squad’ is released this Summer and so far, it looks like it might right the wrongs of this film. However, this film is far from a bad experience, there are many moments of brilliance here.

 (Good)

⭐⭐⭐ (Good)

Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Jo Hartley, Keith Allen, Iris Berben, Tim McInnerny, Mark Benton, Jim Broadbent, Christopher Walken
Certificate: PG
Run Time: 106 mins

‘Eddie the Eagle’ is a biopic based on the famous English ski jumper, arguably more famous for his personality than his ability in ski jumping. He was one of Britain’s only ski jumpers and came last in both the 70m and 90m jumps in the Calgary Winter Olympics of 1988 but arguably, he has been remembered more vividly for his personality and his determination than those who won gold. Dexter Fletcher directs this biopic and Matthew Vaughn, behind last year’s outstanding ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ produces this film under MARV films which he owns. Taron Egerton, who also comes from ‘Kingsman’ plays Michael Edwards (‘Eddie the Eagle’) and is supported by Hugh Jackman who plays fictional coach, Bronson Peary.

‘Eddie the Eagle’ is a very well-intentioned and good-natured film that celebrates the mere participation in sport as opposed to merit but unfortunately succumbs to constant conventionality. Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman have great chemistry together here and as many reviewers mention, it is definitely a feel-good film that soars at times like the ski jumper but it’s very by-the-numbers. Matthew Margeson’s score is also fitting at times but comes off a little pantomime-like. Also viewer beware, if you want to watch an accurate account of Eddie the Eagle then this is not the film for you. I’d say roughly 80% of the film is fictionalised except for the groundwork that the film works on. It’s a baffling decision and one that leaves a very sour taste – it’s a ‘true’ story that has been drastically altered for cinematic purposes.

The performances are where the film really excels and both Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman shine here. Taron Egerton plays the titular character as very determined and earnest and his character is suitably well-developed. Egerton has been on a roll lately as he was brilliant in ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ and also was one of the highlights of ‘Legend’ in a supporting role. Hugh Jackman plays fictional coach, Bronson Peary, a ski jumper who found success in the past but has now resorted to drinking and moping around. The chemistry of Egerton and Jackman is excellent and really drives the film along. Jo Hartley and Keith Allen play Edwards’ parents and both also share great chemistry with Egerton. Christopher Walken makes a small and slightly odd cameo as Warren Sharp, again a fictionalised character but Walken is one of cinema’s greatest actors that he can elevate anything that he plays in.  There is also a small role played by Tim McInnerny who is also always reliable in delivering a good performance.

Fletcher manages to establish a well-suited atmosphere here that like the film, feels a little odd and magical but the film is very engaging at times. All of Edwards’ jumps are shot extremely well and each time, I was on the edge of my seat on whether he was going to hurt himself or not – that is testament to how well the character is developed. Whilst being a little clichéd, the film hails participation in sport as more important than merit which does create a feel-good effect for audiences and the film’s final act is perhaps where at its strongest when he participates in the Olympics and I felt as if I was part of the Olympic audience spectating – the film really can be engaging at times.

However where all the film’s good work is undone is its accuracy. Why, why, why make a movie that is 80% a big lie?!!! He didn’t train in Germany, he trained in America and both Jackman’s and Walken’s character are fictionalised as is also the fact that his father is not shown to be supportive – Edwards’ father in this film is portrayed as quite a challenge for him to get past. I don’t understand why anyone would want to do this and it really leaves a sour taste over a film that is pretty solid.

Overall, ‘Eddie the Eagle’ is a very solid film despite being overly clichéd and by-the-numbers and it’s worth seeing alone for the performances by Egerton and Jackman. At times, the film really works and it is a very easy and light film to watch that does have a good rewatchability factor. But I really don’t understand why the filmmakers have decided to completely botch the real story behind this man and it is a real shame. As a film in its own right, it works but as a sports biopic, it’s wildly inaccurate.

 (Good)

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Excellent)

Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr. 
Certificate: 12A
Run Time: 103 mins

’10 Cloverfield Lane’ is a ‘spiritual’ sequel to the 2008 hit ‘Cloverfield’ that was highly anticipated for 6 months after a very secretive trailer was released in the Summer of 2007. (Read more about this here). Straight off the heels on ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, producer J. J. Abrams released a trailer for this unexpected sequel and once again, fans got their hopes up after the first film had been so warmly received. Like with all of Abrams’ works, the trailer once again was very vague and holds a lot of the twists that the film has to offer up its sleeve. It really is genius marketing. One of the gifts that ‘Cloverfield’ gave us was director Matt Reeves who went on to direct, ‘Let Me In’ and ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’. This sequel is directed by Dan Trachtenberg in his debut so he too could be destined for success. The film features an impressive cast featuring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman and John Gallagher Jr., the three of them staying in an underground bunker after Goodman’s patchy character reveals that there has been an attack on the world which is uninhabitable. So is the film any good or is this just an unworthy cash grab associated with the first film?

’10 Cloverfield Lane’ is an incredible, intense Hitchcockian film that is taut and claustrophobic and gives us three fantastic performances from its trio. The script is absolutely terrific and it’s very easy to spot ‘Whiplash’ director, Damien Chazelle’s contribution. Dan Trachtenberg’s direction is very astute and assured and he will surely go on to do great things. It is a superb film and is 5-star material. Unfortunately, all this good work is undone by a very lacklustre final 15 minutes which is very haphazardly handled and tarnishes all the good work done and leaves a very sour note on all the development the film has undergone to set the audience up to its ending. However, just taking the film alone with the exception of this muddled ending, it is near-perfect.

The cast are vital in this film and if they weren’t convincing, the film wouldn’t have been as successful as it has been. I have not been a fan of Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the past, but in this she is absolutely fantastic in a career-best performance. Her character is constantly kept in the dark throughout the film and her development as a character is very well-realised but I did find her transformation into a full-on action hero towards the end of the film a little unrealistic. John Gallagher Jr is also very sound here and is someone who doesn’t play in films often so this hopefully should be a break for him. However, John Goodman completely steals the show here in what is a  career-best performance for him. The audience are never sure whether or not his character can be trusted or not and Goodman plays the role with so much charisma. At times, he is downright terrifying whereas at times, the audience are fairly sympathetic towards him.

The story is very well-handled and plenty is left up to the viewer’s imagination which is very effective. It is so well-directed, especially the first few minutes leading up to the opening credits feel straight out of an Alfred Hitchcock film and there are many encounters between the characters that are so cleverly scripted. At times, the film is very intense and I am a little surprised that the BBFC only gave the film a 12A which I feel is a little lenient. Without giving spoilers, it really is such a shame that all the good work is undone in the film’s climax which was so desperately disappointing.

I had not heard of Bear McCreary before this, but the score for this film is incredible and is very Bernard Herrman-esque. The first ‘Cloverfield’ was famous for having no score at all save for a 12 minute piece called ‘Roar!’ in the closing credits by Abrams-regular, Michael Giacchino. McCreary is another talent to watch and I’m sure will land some very interesting projects given the success of this film.

Overall, ’10 Cloverfield Lane’ is a stunning piece of cinema and is very intense and carefully directed by newcomer Dan Trachtenberg. The cast here are incredible with John Goodman stealing the show. It’s just a real shame that all the good work is undone in the last 15 minutes but with the exception of this, this film is very impressive. It will be interesting to see if Abrams can strike gold thrice with the announcement of this film 2 months prior to its release being very unexpected. To strike with the element of surprise, perhaps there will have to be an even longer break between this and a third instalment if there is one. Both film’s have been marketed fantastically and the prospect of a third film must be very daunting for the crew if they want it to have the same impact.

 (Excellent)